The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

EVERY YEAR IN MASSILLON, OHIO, BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST FRIDAY
OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, AND CONTINUING FOR TEN WEEKS, THE FOOTBALL GAMES
OF THE CITY'S ONLY HIGH SCHOOL DOMINATE THE SOCIAL, ENTERTAINMENT
AND CONVERSATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE CITIZENS. THE SEASON TRADITION-
ALLY CLOSES WITH AN INTER-CITY RIVALRY WITH CANTON'S (MASSILLON'S
NEIGHBORING CITY--LESS THAN TEN MILES AWAY) LARGEST SCHOOL--MCKINLEY,
AND APPROPRIATELY, "BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK."
THE MASSILLON TIGER--MCKINLEY BULLDOG FESTIVITIES ARE NOT PAR-
TICIPATED IN JUST BY STUDENTS. PEOPLE OF ALL AGES GET EXCITED ABOUT
THE GAME. SOME OF THE MOST ARDENT SUPPORTERS ARE OLD-TIMERS WHO
LOOK FORWARD TO IT EVERY YEAR, AND MOST EVERY CHILD HAS SEEN ONE
TIGER GAME, AND PROBABLY SPORTS A TIGER JACKET, BY THE TIME HE ENTERS
FIRST GRADE.
EACH OF THE TEAM'S THREE BOOSTER CLUBS, THE TIGER BOOSTERS, THE
SIDELINERS (EACH OF WHOSE MEMBERS SPONSOR A FOOTBALL PLAYER) AND THE
BENCHWARMERS, HOLD A "BEAT MCKINLEY RALLY" SOMETIME DURING THE WEEK,
AND THE STUDENT BODY ITSELF ALSO HOLDS A FEW RALLIES DURING THE
COURSE OF THE WEEK.
ON FRIDAY NIGHT, THE BIGGEST PRE-GAME EVENT IS HELD. A PARADE
MARCHES THROUGH THE DOWNTOWN AREA. INCLUDED IS THE MASSILLON TIGER
SWING BAND, MAJORETTES, COACHES, PLAYERS, AND FLOATS (ALL BEARING
THE THEME"BEAT MCKINLEY.") "OBIE," THE MASCOT IN A TIGER SKIN
(AND SINCE 1970, A LIVE TIGER IN A CAGE ALSO) ARE THERE, AS WELL AS
THE TRADITIONAL CALLIOPE; PLAYED ONLY DURING BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK, IT
ALSO DRIVES AROUND THE CITY STREETS PLAYING FOR A FEW HOURS
EACH NIGHT. THE PARADE MARCHES TO THE STADIUM COMPLEX, WHERE A HUGE
BONFIRE IS HELD. (STARTING IN 1973, FIRE REGULATIONS REDUCED THE
SIZE OF THE FIRE. AT THE SAME TIME THE SITE WAS CHANGED TO A PLACE
CLOSER TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA. SEE SUPPLEMENTARY PICTURE, AND NOTE
ATTENDANCE.)
INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS ALSO DO A GREAT DEAL OF "CAMPAIGNING."
BESIDES THE TIGER JACKETS, RAINCOATS, RIBBONS, CUSHIONS, BUMPER
STICKERS, AND TIGER TAILS, SOME FAMILIES DECORATE THEIR HOMES WITH
BOTH MASS-PRODUCED AND HOME-MADE SIGNS, AS WELL AS OCCASIONAL THREE-
DIMENSIONAL EXHIBITS, SUCH AS A STUFFED BULLDOG WITH A NOOSE TIED
AROUND HIS NECK.
THE SITE OF THE GAME ALTERNATES YEARLY BETWEEN MASSILLON TIGER
STADIUM AND CANTON FAWCETT STADIUM, AND IS ALWAYS PLAYED ON A SATUR-
DAY AFTERNOON AT TWO O'CLOCK. (WHEREAS ALL THE OTHER GAMES ARE
PLAYED ON FRIDAY NIGHTS.) IT NEVER DRAWS LESS THAN A SELLOUT CROWD
OF OVER TWENTY THOUSAND, EVEN THOUGH IT IS ALWAYS BROADCAST LIVE ON
THE LOCAL TELEVISION STATION.
THE FANS COME AS MUCH AS TWO HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME,
BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC JAMS. BEFORE THE START OF THE GAME, THE LIVE
TIGER MEETS MCKINLEY'S LIVE BULLDOG, AS DO THEIR COSTUMED COUNTER-
PARTS. LARGE CRATES OF HELIUM-FILLED BALLOONS (ORANGE AND BLACK BY
MASSILLON, AND RED AND BLACK BY CANTON) ARE ALWAYS RELEASED. THE
MAJORETTES RECEIVE CARNATIONS, AND THE SENIOR BAND MEMBERS ARE GIVEN
A FAREWELL CEREMONY. DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, AN AIRPLANE BEARING
A BANNER WITH THE "BEAT MCKINLEY" MESSAGE HAS FLOWN BACK AND FORTH
OVER THE STADIUM, ADDING ANOTHER TRADITION TO THE GAME. DURING
HALF-TIME, THE SWING BAND PLAYS "THE TIGER RAG," AND PERFORMS SOME
ROUTINES THEY HAVE DONE FOR DECADES.
THE NIGHT OF THE GAME IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST NIGHTS FOR CELEBRA-
TION IN STARK COUNTY. WIN OR LOSE, THE ADULTS AND TEENS ALL HAVE
THEIR RESPECTIVE GET-TOGETHERS. MANY CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS SPONSOR
DANCES, INDIVIDUAL HOMES HAVE PARTIES, AND IT IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE
TO GET A RESTAURANT RESERVATION LESS THAN THREE TO FOUR WEEKS IN
ADVANCE OF THE GAME.
IN ADDITION TO CALLING ATTENTION TO THE EVENTS OF "BEAT MCKINLEY
WEEK," THE TOWN NEWSPAPER, THE EVENING INDEPENDENT, ALSO CARRIES OUT
CERTAIN TRADITIONS OF ITS OWN. ON THE DAY BEFORE THE BIG GAME, THE
INDEPENDENT SUPERIMPOSES THE WORDS "BEAT MCKINLEY" (IN BIG BLOCK
LETTERS PRINTED IN ORANGE) OVER THE FRONT-PAGE STORIES. ON NEARLY
EVERY OTHER PAGE (AND ESPECIALLY ON THE SPORT PAGE) THE COL-
UMNS OF THE PAPER ARE BORDERED WITH THE WORDS "BEAT MCKINLEY." ALSO,
THE PAST SCORES OF THE MASSILLON-CANTON GAME, FROM ITS ORIGIN IN
1894, ARE TRADITIONALLY PRINTED YEARLY. SOMETIME DURING THE COURSE
OF THE WEEK, PICTURES OF THE SENIORS PLAYING THEIR LAST GAME ARE
PRINTED.

Submitter comment: CANTON CELEBRATES "BEAT MASSILLON WEEK" IN MUCH THE SAME WAY AS
MASSILLON CELEBRATES "BEAT MCKINLEY WEEK." THERE IS ALWAYS A LITTLE
"RIBBING" (SOMETIMES FRIENDLY, SOMETIMES NOT) BETWEEN MASSILLONIANS
AND CANTONIANS. I MYSELF ATTENDED THE NEAREST CATHOLIC SCHOOL, WHICH
IS LOCATED BETWEEN CANTON AND MASSILLON. EVEN THERE, THOUGH WE HAD
FOOTBALL GAMES OF OUR OWN THE SAME WEEK, STUDENTS WOULD WEAR "BEAT
MASSILLON" AND "BEAT MCKINLEY" RIBBONS, DEPENDING ON THEIR ALLEGIANCE
AND IT WAS A SIMILAR SITUATION IN ALL THE SUBURBAN AND COUNTY
SCHOOLS.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

James Callow Keyword(s): SPORTS FOOTBALL

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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CAR GAME

IN THIS CAR GAME, THE OBJECT IS TO SEE AND POINT OUT VOLKSWAGONS
BEFORE THE REST OF THE PEOPLE IN THE CAR. WHENEVER YOU SEE A
VOLKSWAGON,
YOU SAY "SLUG-BUG, NO SLUG BACKS," AND THAT ONE IS "YOURS."
THERE IS USUALLY NO ATTEMPT TO COUNT THE NUMBER OF "SLUG-BUGS" SEEN,
BUT MERELY TO SEE AND DECLARE THEM BEFORE ANYONE ELSE. (IN MY WORDS)

James Callow comment: VOLKSWAGEN=GERMAN CAR POPULARLY CALLED A BEETLE
CC[ BECAUSE OF ITS SHAPE
CN[ ERTLE, EDWARD 722368
C1[ 881 AMHERST RD. N.E.
C2[ MASSILLON, OHIO 44646
DNC[ 1,380
******************** C FILE 1 ********************

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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FOLK ART

GUM CHAIN

Submitter comment: IN THE MID-1960'S, THE MAKING OF GUM CHAINS WAS AN ESPECIALLY
POPULAR FAD AMONG HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS. THE IDEA WAS TO MAKE A CHAIN
THE SAME HEIGHT AS YOUR BOYFRIEND, AND THEN HANG IT IN YOUR ROOM.
EVERYONE WHO KNEW A GIRL WHO WAS MAKING ONE HAD TO SAVE ALL THEIR GUM
WRAPPERS FOR HER. SOON, HOWEVER, YOUNGER GIRLS (OF GRADE SCHOOL
AGE) LEARNED HOW TO MAKE THE CHAINS, AND THE TEENAGE GIRLS STOPPED.
CHAINS WERE SOMETIMES MADE BY PATTERNS--FIVE WRAPPERS OF ONE
COLOR IN A ROW, FOLLOWED BY FIVE OF ANOTHER COLOR, ETC.--OR MIGHT BE
ONE SOLID COLOR, OR MIGHT BE A CONGLOMERATE OF RANDOM COLORS.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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FORMULA SPEECH--CORRECTIVE

WHEN CHILDREN WANT TO COMMUNICATE TO SOMEONE THAT HIS OR HER FLY
IS DOWN, THEY START COUNTING RAPIDLY. EACH NUMBER IS SUPPOSED TO
REPRESENT A COW COMING OUT OF THE PANTS (THOUGH NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW
WHY) AND THE MORE THAT ESCAPE, THE WORSE. WHEN BOTH CHILDREN UNDER-
STAND THE USE OF THE NUMBERS, THE ONE ZIPS UP, AND THE OTHER CHANTS
"HA, HA, THIRTY COWS," OR HOWEVER MANY HE COUNTED. WHEN ONE PERSON
DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE OTHER IS COUNTING, THE COUNTER MIGHT
ENUMERATE UP TO FIFTY OR EVEN FURTHER, THEN FINALLY POINT TO THE
OTHER'S FLY. THAT WAY HE WILL HAVE ALL THE MORE COWS TO TEASE THE
PERSON ABOUT.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

James Callow Keyword(s): FLY:ZIPPER

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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RHYME OF DERISION

TEACHER, TEACHER, I DECLARE
I SEE (SO-AND-SO'S) UNDERWEAR
MIGHT BE PINK, MIGHT BE WHITE,
MIGHT BE FULL OF DYNAMITE.

I SAW LONDON, I SAW FRANCE
I SAW (SO-AND-SO'S) UNDERPANTS
MIGHT BE WHITE, MIGHT BE PINK,
I DON'T KNOW, BUT THEY SURE STINK.

Submitter comment: THIS IS USED BY CHILDREN WHEN THEY SEE SOMEONE ELSE'S UNDERWEAR.
IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A "HINT" TO TUCK IN YOUR SHIRT, OR PULL UP
YOUR FLY, AND IS USED BY BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS. USUALLY ONE OR THE
OTHER VERSE IS USED, BUT SOMETIMES THEY ARE BOTH USED IN SUCCESSION.
THE LAST STANZA OF EACH VERSE IS OFTEN SUBSTITUTED IN THE OTHER,
SINCE IT DOES NOT AFFECT THE RHYME.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

James Callow Keyword(s): METAPHOR: NAMES OF COUNTRIES FOR BODY PARTS

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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WEATHER SUPERSTITION

IF YOU SEE COWS LAYING DOWN, THAT MEANS IT WILL RAIN.

Submitter comment: I FIRST HEARD THIS ITEM FROM MY MOTHER WHEN I WAS A SMALL CHILD,
AND WE WERE TAKING A DRIVE THROUGH THE COUNTRY. SHE HAD HEARD
IT FROM HER MOTHER, WHO STRONGLY BELIEVED IT, AND WHO HAD LIVED ON A
FARM AS A SMALL GIRL. MY MOTHER "THINKS THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING TO
IT," BUT DOES NOT TOTALLY BELIEVE IN THE IDEA. MY FATHER HAS HEARD
THE SUPERSTITION ALSO.
SOMETIMES WE WOULD SEE A GROUP OF COWS: SOME STANDING AND SOME
LYING. HAVING NO REAL ANSWER, MY PARENTS WOULD TELL ME THAT THE
COWS WERE NOT SURE WHAT IT WAS GOING TO DO.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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LIVE CRIB

EVERY CHRISTMAS SEASON SINCE ABOUT 1965, MEMBERS OF ST. PAUL'S
CHURCH IN MASSILLON, OHIO RE-ENACT THE FIRST CHRISTMAS. FOR ONE WEEK
BEFORE THE FEAST, AND LASTING THREE TO FOUR NIGHTS, THE ROLES OF
MARY, JOSEPH, AND THE SHEPHERDS ARE PORTRAYED BY CHURCH MEMBERS, WHO
DRESS IN THE COSTUME OF THE PERIOD, MADE BY WOMEN VOLUNTEERS
BELONGING TO THE CHURCH.
THE SETTING IS MOST REALISTIC. A STABLE, BUILT BY THE MEN OF THE
PARISH, IS ERECTED OUTSIDE ON THE CHURCH GROUNDS. A STRAW-FILLED
MANGER IS INSIDE, CONTAINING A BABY-DOLL WHO REPRESENTS JESUS.
(PEOPLE SAY THAT A LIVE CHILD IS NOT USED BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER
OF DECEMBER NIGHTS.) ANIMALS, USUALLY A COW AND SOME SHEEP AND PIGS,
ARE LENT BY MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH LIVING ON FARMS, AND STAY IN THE
STABLE DAY AND NIGHT DURING THE PERIOD IN WHICH THE PLAYS ARE
PERFORMED.
NO ADMISSION IS CHARGED, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC USUALLY STOPS BY
AND VIEWS IT. FOR MANY PEOPLE OF MASSILLON OF ALL FAITHS, GOING TO
SEE THE LIVE CRIB HAS BECOME AS MUCH A TRADITION AS THE PERFORMANCE.

Submitter comment: SINCE 1970, ANOTHER LOCAL CHURCH, THE FAITH MEMORIAL BAPTIST OF
REEDURBAN (ABOUT FIVE MILES AWAY FROM ST. PAUL'S), HAS PUT ON A
SIMILAR PRODUCTION
WITH STABLE, CLOTHES, ANIMALS, ETC., EXCEPT THAT THEY
HAVE THE CHARACTERS ACTING OUT A PLAY USING THE BIBLE STORY OF THE
NATIVITY AS A SCRIPT, WHEREAS ST. PAUL'S HAS NO ORAL PRESENTATION.
FAITH MEMORIAL DRAWS EVEN BIGGER CROWDS THAN THE ST. PAUL CRIB,
POSSIBLY BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION--ON THE MAIN ROAD ONE BLOCK AWAY
FROM A BIG SHOPPING MALL.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

James Callow Keyword(s): ANIMAL

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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PRACTICAL JOKE

THE TRICKSTER POINTS WITH HIS INDEX FINGER TO A SPOT ABOUT
HALF-WAY DOWN THE DUPE'S SHIRT, AND ASKS HIM, "WHAT IS THAT?" WHEN
THE DUPE BOWS HIS HEAD TO LOOK DOWN, THE TRICKSTER SCOOTS HIS FINGER
UP AND SLAPS THE FORMER ON THE LOWER CHIN.

Submitter comment: SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN USING THIS AS LONG AS I CAN RE-
MEMBER, AND YOUNG ADULTS STILL DO IT OCCASIONALLY FOR A LAUGH.
THE REALLY AMUSING THING ABOUT IT IS THAT SOMEONE WILL NEARLY ALWAYS
FALL FOR IT, NO MATTER HOW OFTEN THEY HAVE BEEN TRICKED--THE QUESTION
IS SUCH THAT THE REFLEXES ARE IMMEDIATELY STIMULATED INTO FORCING THE
EYES TO LOOK DOWN. SOMETIMES THE TRICKSTER MAY LOOK HORRIFIED, AND
EXCLAIM, "EWWWW, WHAT'S THAT:?" AND MAY AT OTHER TIMES SAY IT MATTER-
OF-FACTLY.
IN THE RARE CASE WHEN THE DUPE IS NOT FOOLED, HE USUALLY GETS A
WIDE GRIN ON HIS FACE, AND WILL NOT LOOK DOWN. THE DEFEATED
TRICKSTER DROPS HIS HAND IN DISGUST.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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FORMULA SPEECH

WHEN TWO PEOPLE SAY THE SAME WORD OR PHRASE AT THE SAME TIME, THE
FIRST ONE WHO PUNCHES THE OTHER ON THE ARM, AND SAYS "COKE," IS
SUPPOSED TO BE BOUGHT A COKE BY THE OTHER. (IN MY WORDS)

Submitter comment: OCCASIONALLY, BESIDES SAYING THE ORIGINAL WORD TWICE, WHEN BOTH
PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THE GAME USING "COKE," THEY MIGHT BOTH SAY THE
WORD "COKE," ITSELF AT THE SAME TIME, IN ATTEMPTING TO BEAT THEIR
OPPONENT AT SAYING IT. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE QUICK THINKER IMMEDI-
ATELY REPEATS "COKE" AGAIN, AND HE'S NOW THE WINNER. WHEN TWO ARE
BOTH VERY MUCH AWARE OF HOW THE GAME WORKS, THIS QUITE OFTEN HAP-
PENS. THE RESULT IS THAT THE TWO PEOPLE MAY SAY "COKE" TOGETHER
FOUR OR FIVE TIMES IN A ROW. THE QUICK PLAYER NOW OFTEN SAYS "COKE,
NO RETURNS, STOP," AND HE IS THE WINNER.
JUST LIKE ANY OTHER BET MADE IN FUN, THIS ONE IS RARELY PAID OFF, AND
IS NOT EVEN EXPECTED TO BE. THE FUN IS MERELY IN THE DOING OF IT.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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JUMP-ROPE RHYME AND CHEER

CHARLEY MCCARTHEY,
DOROTHY LAMOUR,
MAMA'S LITTLE BABY GONNA ROCK TONIGHT
HEY BOB-A-REE-BA--FIGHT, FIGHT
HEY BOB-A-REE-BA--FIGHT, FIGHT
MAMA'S LITTLE BABY GONNA ROCK TONIGHT

Submitter comment: THIS WAS USED BY MY SISTER AND HER CHILDHOOD FRIENDS PRIMARILY
FOR JUMP-ROPE, BUT ALSO AS A CHEER. BEFORE THEY WERE CORRECTED, SOME
OF THE GIRLS (INCLUDING MY SISTER,) USED TO SAY "DOROTHY MAMOOR"
BECAUSE OF THEIR UNFAMILIARITY WITH HER.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

James Callow Keyword(s): RADIO AND MOVIE PERSONALITIES

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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PARODY OF CHRISTMAS SONG

(SUNG TO THE TUNE OF "WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE")
WE THREE KINGS OF ORIENT ARE
SMOKING ON A RUBBER CIGAR
IT WAS LOADED AND EXPLODED
OVER OUR FRANKINCENSE
OH-OH-OH
STAR OF WONDER, STAR OF LIGHT
THIS ONE DIED ON FRIDAY NIGHT
THIS ONE DIED ON SATURDAY, AND
THIS ONE DIED ON SUNDAY NIGHT

Submitter comment: I FIRST HEARD THIS SONG AT MY GRADE SCHOOL; (ST. MARY IN
MASSILLON, OHIO) USUALLY ONLY AROUND THE CHRISTMAS SEASON. ADULTS
DIDN'T SEEM TO KNOW IT, AND WERE SOMETIMES SHOCKED UPON HEARING
IT-- NOTABLY THE SCHOOL NUNS. FOR A WHILE I FORGOT ABOUT IT, BUT THEN
I HEARD IT AGAIN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL (CENTRAL CATHOLIC IN CANTON,
OHIO,) FROM OTHERS.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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AUTOGRAPH VERSE

WHEN YOU ARE OLD AND OUT OF SHAPE
REMEMBER GIRDLES ARE $2.98

Submitter comment: WRITTEN IN 1965

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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AUTOGRAPH VERSE

ROSES ARE BLUE
VIOLETS ARE RED
IF YOU BELIEVE THIS
EXAMINE YOUR HEAD

Submitter comment: WRITTEN IN 1965

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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MEANS OF CAUSING OR AVOIDING ILLNESS (RHEUMATISM)

BEING EXPOSED TO EITHER A FAN OR TO AIR-CONDITIONING FOR MORE THAN
A FEW MINUTES AT A TIME WILL EVENTUALLY GIVE ONE RHEUMATISM.

Submitter comment: THIS BELIEF IS SHARED BY A PROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF LABORERS AT
REPUBLIC STEEL PLANT IN MASSILLON, OHIO WHERE I WAS EMPLOYED DURING
THE SUMMER OF 1973. I FIRST LEARNED OF THIS BELIEF WHEN I WAS
STANDING IN FRONT OF A FAN, AND A CO-WORKER, AGED ABOUT 60, TOLD ME
THAT DOING THAT JUST A LITTLE AT A TIME DOES SOMETHING TO YOUR SYSTEM
AND IN A FEW YEARS WOULD GIVE ME RHEUMATISM. HE KNEW OTHERS IT HAD
HAPPENED TO, AND HE HIMSELF AVOIDED (OR CLAIMED TO AVOID) FANS FOR
LONG PERIODS OF TIME BECAUSE OF THIS. I LATER HEARD SIMILAR COMMENTS
FROM OTHER WORKERS, RANGING IN AGE FROM 40 TO 60. SOME QUALIFIED
THAT IT IS TRUE ONLY IF YOU ARE PERSPIRING IN FRONT OF A FAN, WHILE
OTHERS CLAIMED THAT PERSPIRATION WAS NOT A NECESSARY CONDITION; IN
FACT, AIR-CONDITIONING HAS THE SAME RESULTS, AND MANY PEOPLE GETTING
THEIR HOMES AIR-CONDITIONED TODAY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS, BUT THEY
WILL BE SORRY AFTER AWHILE. SOME CLAIMED THAT BUSINESSMEN WITH AIR-
CONDITIONED OFFICES HAVE DEVELOPED RHEUMATISM, TOO. ONE MAN TOLD ME
ABOUT THE BELIEF WHILE A FAN WAS ON US BOTH. HE STARTED YELLING
WORDS TO THE EFFECT, "TURN THAT THING OFF! I DON'T WANT IT ON ME!"
AND PROCEEDED TO TELL ME HIS VERSION OF THE BELIEF. BUT WHEN I LATER
OFFERED TO TURN THE FAN IN THE OTHER DIRECTION, HE TOLD ME TO NEVER
MIND--AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, ONCE MORE WOULDN'T HURT OR HELP HIM.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 07-00-1973

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SOUP PICNIC

EVERY LABOR DAY, FOR AT LEAST FORTY YEARS, BUT NOT SINCE 1971,
THE ROHR FAMILY HELD WHAT THEY CALLED A "SOUP PICNIC." EACH INDI-
VIDUAL FAMILY WOULD BRING A PAN OF VEGETABLE SOUP, AND AT THE PICNIC
SITE (WHICH TRADED OFF FROM FAMILY TO FAMILY YEARLY) THE SOUPS WOULD
BE COMBINED IN A BIG BUTCHERING KETTLE, AND HEATED OVER AN OPEN
FIRE. THE FAMILY MADE A DAY OF IT, AND WOULD EAT THE SOUP BOTH FOR
LUNCH AND SUPPER THAT DAY.
WHEN THE CUSTOM FIRST STARTED, THE MEALS CONSISTED SOLELY OF
SOUP AND CRACKERS. AFTER A FEW YEARS, CORN ON THE COB WAS ADDED,
SINCE MANY OF THE FAMILY MEMBERS WERE GROWING IT, AND IT WAS PLENTI-
FUL DURING THE LATE SUMMER. AFTER A FEW YEARS, DESSERTS WERE ALSO
ADDED TO THE TRADITION, BUT IT WAS ALWAYS KEPT AT THAT--NEVER ANY
SIDE DISHES, OR MEAT (OTHER THAN THAT IN THE SOUP ITSELF.) (IN MY
WORDS)

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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IF YOU PLEASE MISS NELLIE

BOY: IF YOU PLEASE, MISS NELLIE
WHY DO YOU WEAR A FROWN?
YESTERDAY I WAS LONELY
BECAUSE YOU WENT TO TOWN
GIRL: NO SIR, YOU WERE NOT LONELY
I SAW YOU OUT WITH BESSIE BROWN
I SAW YOU BITE HER APPLE
I SAW YOU TWIST HER CURL
BOY: I WAS JUST TALKING TO HER
GIRL: WELL, THEN GO TALK SOME MORE
BOY: NELLIE, DO BE MY PLAYMATE
JUST AS YOU WERE BEFORE
BOTH: PLAYMATES, PLAYMATES
SINCE OUR BABY DAYS
LITTLE PLAYMATES
TRA, LA, LA
BOTH: NOW WE QUARREL - LA, LA, LA
GIRL: RUN RIGHT AWAY, YOU BIG BILLY GRAY
FOR I SHALL BE TEDDY'S GIRL
BOY: HERE IS A ROSY APPLE
GIRL: GIVE IT TO BESSIE BROWN
BOY: SEE HERE I HAVE A BRAND NEW DIME
I CAN BUY TWO BIG ICE CREAMS
BESSIE'S THEY'LL BE AND MINE
GIRL: I WAS JUST FOOLING, BILLY
OF COURSE I DIDN'T MEAN IT SO
BILLY COME BACK, I WON'T PLAY WITH JACK
YOU'RE THE BEST BOY I KNOW
BOTH: PLAYMATES, PLAYMATES
SINCE OUR BABY DAYS
LITTLE PLAYMATES
TRA, LA, LA
THAT'S HOW IT IS, JUST HOW IT IS
WITH A SAUCER OF PINK ICE CREAM

Submitter comment: SINCE THE TWO CHARACTERS IN THIS SONG ARE YOUNG, IT SHOULD
IDEALLY BE SUNG BY TWO SMALL CHILDREN. MY FATHER AND AUNT PERFORMED
IT AT A CHURCH SHOW WHEN THEY WERE AGED 8 AND 10, RESPECTIVELY.
BOTH REMEMBERED IT INDEPENDENTLY, WORD FOR WORD, THOUGH NEITHER WAS
ABLE TO RECALL FROM WHERE THEY ORIGINALLY LEARNED IT.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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OCTOBER GAVE A PARTY

OCTOBER GAVE A PARTY
THE LEAVES BY HUNDREDS CAME
THE CHESTNUT, OAK, AND MAPLE
AND LEAVES OF EVERY NAME
THE SUNSHINE SPREAD THE CARPET
AND EVERYTHING LOOKED GRAND
MISS WEATHER LED THE DANCING
PROFESSOR WIND THE BAND
THE CHESTNUTS CAME IN YELLOW
THE OAK IN CRIMSON DRESS
THE LOVELY MRS. MAPLE
IN SCARLET LOOKED HER BEST
ALL DANCED TO THEIR PARTNERS
AND GAILY FLUTTERED BY
THE SWEET ONE LIKE A RAINBOW
NEW-FALLEN FROM THE SKY
THEN IN THE RUSTIC BILLOW
AT HIDE AND SEEK THEY PLAYED
THE PARTY BROKE AT SUNDOWN
BUT STILL THE LEAVES ALL STAYED
PROFESSOR WIND PLAYED LOUDER
THEY FLEW ALONG THE GROUND
AND HERE THE PARTY ENDED
WITH A JOLLY OLD HAND ROUND

Submitter comment: THIS SONG WAS LEARNED BY MY AUNT FROM HER MOTHER WHEN SHE WAS
SIX YEARS OLD.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

James Callow Keyword(s): AUTUMN ; PERSONIFICATION

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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I'M A PRETTY LITTLE KITTEN

I'M A PRETTY LITTLE KITTEN
MY NAME IS TABBY GRAY
I LIVE OUT IN THE COUNTRY
SO MANY MILES AWAY
MY EYES ARE DARK AS HAZEL
MY FUR IS SOFT AS SILK
I'M FURNISHED IN THE MORNING
WITH A SAUCER FULL OF MILK
THE MILK COMES FRESH AND FOAMY
FRESH FROM THE GOOD OLD COW
AND AFTER I HAVE LAPPED IT
I FROLIC YOU KNOW HOW
I'M PETTED BY THE CHILDREN
THE MISTRESS OF THE HOUSE
AND SOMETIMES WHEN I'M NIMBLE
I CAN CATCH A LITTLE MOUSE
BUT SOMETIMES WHEN I'M NAUGHTY
I CLIMB UPON THE STAND
AND EAT THE CAKE OR CHICKEN
OR ANYTHING I CAN
AW, THEN THEY HIDE MY SAUCER
NO MATTER HOW I MEW
AND THAT'S THE WAY I'M PUNISHED
FOR THE NAUGHTY THINGS I DO

Submitter comment: THIS SONG HAS BEEN KNOWN BY MY AUNT SINCE SHE WAS A SMALL GIRL,
AND SHE USED TO SING IT TO ME WHEN I WAS A SMALL CHILD. SHE HAS
LONG HAD IT MEMORIZED. I HAVE SEEN IN CHILDREN'S STORY-BOOKS A SIM-
ILAR STORY (NOT SET TO MUSIC) ABOUT A HORSE NAMED DAPPLE GRAY, BUT
HAVE NEVER SEEN OR HEARD THE KITTEN VERSION ANYWHERE OTHER THAN FROM
MY AUNT, AND IT IS THE ONLY VERSION SHE KNOWS.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

James Callow Keyword(s): CAT

Date learned: 11-00-1973

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FIVE-WAY TIC-TAC-TOE

TO PLAY FIVE-WAY TIC-TAC-TOE, A SHEET OF GRAPH PAPER IS USED BY
TWO PLAYERS, WHO TRY TO BUILD ROWS OF FIVE "X" OR "O", DEPENDING
ON THE PLAYER'S RESPECTIVE SYMBOL. UNLIKE CONVENTIONAL TIC-TAC-TOE,
IN WHICH A NEW GRID IS DRAWN AFTER A PLAYER (OR CAT) WINS A GAME,
FIVE-WAY KEEPS THE GAME GOING CONSTANTLY: SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY
SPACES, AS SOON AS ONE ROW OF FIVE IS COMPLETED, THE GAME DOES NOT
STOP, BUT CONTINUES, WITH PLAYERS TRYING TO COMPILE AS MANY ROWS AS
POSSIBLE. THE WINNER IS THE ONE WHO BUILDS THE MOST ROWS IN A PRE-
DETERMINED AMOUNT OF TIME, OR WITHIN A GIVEN AMOUNT OF SPACE.

Submitter comment: THIS GAME WAS POPULAR TO PLAY BETWEEN (AND DURING) CLASSES AT MY
HIGH-SCHOOL (CEETRAL CATHOLIC IN CANTON, OHIO),
ESPECIALLY DURING A
"FIVE-WAY FAD" IN 1970.
A FEW SIMPLE VARIATIONS OF THE GAME WERE PLAYED, ONE WHICH
ALLOWED ANY NUMBER OF PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE, BY USING ANOTHER SYM-
BOL, SUCH AS A LETTER; SOMETIMES INITIALS WOULD BE USED FOR EASE IN
IDENTIFICATION, AND RARELY, ROWS WOULD BE DETERMINED BY COLORING IN
BLOCKS WITH A COLORED PEN AT YOUR TURN.

Where learned: OHIO ; MASSILLON

Date learned: 10-00-1973

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